NEW LONDON -- The New London-Spicer School Board certified the 2007 property tax levy at $3,133,548 at its regular meeting Monday.
The final levy represents an 18.61 percent increase over the previous levy, but is lower than the preliminary levy of $3,349,507 approved by the board in September. The preliminary levy represented a 26 percent increase over the previous levy.
Included in the overall levy is a new levy of $72,050 for deferred maintenance for facility improvements. The district's annual budget is approximately $17 million.
The board unanimously approved the motion certifying the levy.
The board heard a number of reports at the meeting, including:
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- A report from Kevin Acquard, high school principal, that photos of all 83 holiday cards are posted on the district's Web site at www.nls.k12.mn.us . The cards are posted at 83 locations around New London and Spicer and were painted by approximately 70 senior high school art students, under the instruction of Bill Gabbert.
Each year, new cards are created by the art students. Businesses are asked for a $25 donation as a fundraiser for the program and art department.
- A report from Acquard that the junior high will be used for a police training exercise on the afternoon of Dec. 27.
- A report from John Vraa, community education and athletic director, that the hockey boards and lights are installed near the Prairie Meadows building and that work is underway to make ice for the skating rink.
- A report from students and faculty about the freshman respect retreat, which was Nov. 14 at Peace Lutheran Church. The daylong event was facilitated by Youth Frontiers, from the Twin Cities. Acquard noted that he is working on plans for a wisdom retreat at the end of the year for the senior class, which would also be facilitated by Youth Frontiers.
- A report about the Boost Up program used by the early childhood, kindergarten and first grade students at Prairie Woods Elementary. The program uses kinetic movement to help students focus and develop learning skills.
